Democracy At It's Worst

Well just in case you have been unplugged from any social media for the last day let me explain. A few days ago reports started to surface that the Republican led Legislature in Michigan were going to use their own ‘lame duck’ session to push a Right To Work for less bill. Turns out the reports were all true.

The legislature and Governor Snyder knew there would be huge protests if they pushed Right To Work in Michigan. Amid huge protests RTW was unveiled in the MI House. The Detroit Free Press reported

“The goal isn’t to divide Michigan. It is to bring Michigan together,” the governor said, as hundreds of union protesters stormed the Capitol and the governor’s office, vociferously voicing their opposition to the plan.”

We all know this is a crock. The goal of right to work is to lower wages and make it easier for companies to break labor unions down.

The day was moved on like a live action horror movie, directed by Americans for Prosperity and ALEC. Even the Koch Brothers could not keep their hands out of this. The Koch funded group American For Prosperity, had members lined up in front of the State House in Lansing.

“Michigan passage of right-to-work legislation will be the shot heard around the world for workplace freedom,” AFP said in a press release Thursday.

42. Ok!

6. It reminds me of Wisconsin...

Why aren't dems on top of these types of legislation? Why aren't dems & independents warning states that so-called "right to work" laws are being looked at? Though I live in WA state I know we can't become complacent thinking this won't happen here!

13. Why aren't people striking, in the street and at the capitol protesting?

37. They were

But Republican legislators made sure their staffers filled up the gallery so others couldn't get it.

Then they declared the building unsafe so more protestors couldn't get in to watch Republicans vote away their bargaining rights. It was unsafe to have protestors in, but school groups and a Jimmy Johns delivery guy were let in.

Some of those who managed to stay were tear gassed and arrested.

When a judge issued an order to reopen the building, the House brought RTW to an immediate vote before they could be let in. Democrat legislators got off the House Floor to open the doors to them.

Look, what's going on here is shit. Absolute shit. But the sad truth is, the Democrats don't have the numbers in the legislature to stop them. Republicans introduced these measures on the same day they passed them, allowing for no committee hearings, no testimony and no discussion.

So if you're angry (and however angry you are, you have NO idea what I'm feeling like right now), point the finger somewhere else. Point it at those who are trying to trample democracy and turn this state into a fiefdom.

There are words for people like that. Traitor and fascist come to mind.

30. This was a surprise attack

They have been saying all along that they would not push RTW for less in MI. Then after the elections they completely change course. They pushed the bill through in 1 day after the governor said it was suddenly on the agenda.

14. It's not Democracy: It's a new kind of "Ism"

...what kind, I'm not sure. What is extreme capitalism? What happens to capitalism when it goes this far to the right? What does it turn into at that point? Where's Thom Hartmann when you need him? (Just kidding) It's definitely disaster capitalism, but I think it has a different name, no? It's not America as we know it, I do know that.

21. I'm from...

...Georgia, so I damn sure don't have any room to talk, but the answer is 'You put these bastards in charge, so you're getting what you deserve...and if you can't stop em now, or in the next election, then you'll really have deserved it.' We're a 'right to work' state, which puts 'the bosses' in charge and at liberty to do anything they want to get 'cheap labor' and to keep Republicans in office.

28. I'm about there. nt

27. This is the NATURAL OUTCOME of the Party's support of "free trade".

And the embrace of cheap, non-union labor in the "right to work" South.

It has decimated the unionized manufacturing industry here in Michigan and the entire industrial midwest. The unionized manufacturing jobs that buttressed broad-based support for Trade Unionism no longer exist in Michigan. The workers who used to see their common interest in a strong unionized workforce no longer have jobs in Michigan; they have moved to Arizona, or North Carolina, or elsewhere. Most of their children left for college in different states and never came back.

After 40 or more years of assault on our way of life, Michigan is a hollow shell. It's as simple as that.